Research discovers dating someone who works out makes you healthier

There is more than one benefit to dating a fitness freak. Source: Supplied

IT turns out dating someone physically fit has more benefits than just having some nice arm candy.

A researcher from Tel Aviv University has discovered having a significant other that regularly partakes in physical activity is the best incentive for people to get in shape.
Working with colleagues from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, lead researcher Dr Silvia Koton found if one spouse improves their exercise regimen, his or her partner is much more likely to follow suit.
“It was well known that spouses exhibit similar risky behaviours like smoking and drinking, but it wasn’t clear how an individual’s level of physical activity was influenced by changes in his or her spouse’s level of physical activity,” she said.

“Our study tells us that spouses can have a positive impact on one another in terms of staying fit and healthy over time.”

Couples that train together stay together. Source: Supplied

The findings were discovered after researchers examined records from the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Study, which has been monitoring a group of 15,792 middle-aged adults since 1987.
Data was analysed from two medical visits conducted roughly six years apart, in which 3,261 couples were asked to detail their physical activity levels to see if they met the physical activity guidelines for Americans.
Established by the US Department of Health and Human Services, the guidelines suggest adults should be working for a minimum of 150 minutes per week at a moderate intensity or 75 minutes per week for vigorous exercise.
Researchers found during their first visit to the doctor, 45 per cent of husbands and 33 per cent of wives were achieving the recommended exercise durations.
The second visit showed husbands with wives who met the recommendations during the first visit were now 70 per cent more likely to maintain those levels.
Additionally, wives were now 40 per cent more likely to meet the levels when their husband met the recommendations.
“Our findings suggest that physical activity promotion efforts should consider targeting couples,” she said.
The results were presented at the American Heart Association’s EPI/Lifestyle 2015 Scientific Sessions in Baltimore.